Scatchard calls it quits after 12 seasons

Dave Scatchard, a center who appeared in more than 650 games in 12 NHL seasons, announced his retirement Monday afternoon via his Twitter account.

A second-round draft choice of the Vancouver Canucks (No. 42) in 1994, the 35-year-old is calling it quits after consulting with doctors. Scatchard, who has battled concussion problems in recent years, split last season between the St. Louis Blues and their AHL team in Peoria.

"After a long week of tests at the Mayo Clinic Dr.'s have advised me that playing hockey is not an option for me any longer. Wouldn't be safe," Scatchard said on his Twitter account.

A native of Hinton, Alta., Scatchard spent the first two seasons of his career with the Canucks before being traded to the New York Islanders in December 1999. A two-time 20-goal scorer, Scatchard also played for the Boston Bruins, Phoenix Coyotes and Nashville Predators. He had 128 goals, 141 assists and 1,040 penalty minutes in 659 games.